Sunday, January 31, 2016

Guido Belgiorno-Nettis’ Transfusion overpowered the local contenders for a record sixth time at the Farr 40 National Championship: John Calvert-Jones Trophy.

Photo: Beth Morley / www.sportsailingphotography.com

Master international tactician John Kostecki helped furnish the dominant Middle Harbour Yacht Club crew with the highest accolades once again, a major boost to the team’s Rolex Farr 40 World Championship chances when Sydney hosts an international fleet in a couple of weeks’ time.

Photo: Beth Morley / www.sportsailingphotography.com

Luckily they had enough points in the bag that Transfusion wasn’t required to sail the last race. When they lined up for the start of race 10, Martin Hill’s Estate Master pushed them up, then when Transfusion lent over in a gust Hill’s mast spreader pierced Transfusion’s mainsail, bringing Belgiorno-Nettis’ day to a premature end.

Photo: Beth Morley / www.sportsailingphotography.com

“It was an unfortunate situation, the positive is we had three consistently good races at the front of the fleet to build on our position and we are very happy with our performance. John’s [Kostecki] an extremely tough taskmaster, he keeps us all organised. The crew mechanics are getting tighter and tighter the more we sail with him,” Belgiorno-Nettis said.

Photo: Beth Morley / www.sportsailingphotography.com

Lang Walker and his Kokomo crew staged a remarkable return to racing this weekend after two seasons off so Walker could sort out a dodgy hip. Kokomo (CYCA) finished runner up by five points after 10 races, new tactician David Chapman and the core crew members shoring up second overall with a boat of the day performance – 1,4,1,3.

Photo: Beth Morley / www.sportsailingphotography.com

“We were very close to Transfusion in pace upwind; downwind we need a bit more work. I think the offshore courses for the worlds will suit us better than the harbour courses,” Chapman said.

Photo: Beth Morley / www.sportsailingphotography.com

Walker tried out a new driving style downwind this series and Chapman said his skipper seemed comfortable moving from side to side. In terms of the local fleet Belgiorno-Nettis rates Kokomo as the dark horse.

Photo: Beth Morley / www.sportsailingphotography.com

Estate Master (MHYC) worked its way back from the pre-start altercation with Transfusion to take the gun in the 10th and final race, moving them up to third on the series ladder. Jeff Carter’s Edake (MHYC) finished fourth overall and first Corinthian Farr 40.

Photo: Beth Morley / www.sportsailingphotography.com

Phil Yeomans, MHYC’s Principal Race Officer ran four races on Sydney Harbour’s Sound course area in breeze 8-14 knots and gusts up to 17. “It was a typical westerly, it would drop down to eight then gust up to 14, from no breeze at the first top mark to breeze on the next time around.”